Saudade: An Exploration of the Choreographic Process and the Power of Dance

This paper serves as a reflection on my choreographic process as a LINES BFA senior and as an investigation into the innate power of human creative movement. I will document the challenges and joys of producing movement in the dancing arts, as well as illuminate the physical and psychological power of movement harbored within the practice of Dance Movement Therapy, an enduring form of psychotherapeutic movement used to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being. The main goals of my personal choreographic experience, as well as those of my fellow Dance Majors were three-fold: 1) the cultivation of an encouraging and safe space for collaborative creation; 2) the development of understanding and expression of the inner self; and 3) the practice of active empathy, humor, and love. For me, this choreographic experience opened paths previously unforeseen and also led me further into the rich scholarly history and significance of Dance Movement Therapy. My Senior Project, saudade, evolved and grew to encompass thoughts and emotions that reflect life-affirming experiences shared by humans throughout time: namely, our relationship with time, the importance of relationships, the power of imagination, and the overcoming of fear. These experiences led to the creation of a dance that filled my dancers and me with undeniable gratitude, wonder, and deep satisfaction